Dubs stars green light

Stillorgan prepares to welcome their heroes

Niall Scully
– 26 January 2016 02:30 AM

Dubs Stars’ Kevin McManamon tries to control the head as Dublin’s David Byrne comes in to contest possession in last year’s Dublin Bus/Herald Dubs Stars challenge at Parnell’s. Pic: David Maher/Sportsfile

They have been stirring the tea with extra gusto in the Crokes Cafe this week.

The big Dublin Bus/Herald Dubs Stars Parade is coming to town.

It will take place in Glenalbyn this Sunday. The Dublin hurlers will play the Dubs Stars at 12.30. And that will be followed by the Dublin footballers against the Dubs Stars (2.0).

The original date on January 2 fell to the weather. And now the Stillorgan officials are thrilled that the event is taking place.

It will be a quick turn-around for Ger Cunningham's hurlers and Jim Gavin's footballers.

They have big Croke Park Saturday night dates.

Yet maybe the Walsh Cup will be there for all to see in Pairc de Búrca.

The footballers won the Grand Slam in 2015. And every time they lace up the boots, there's pressure on fellas to perform.And there's also lads on the Dubs Stars selections that will be trying to impress the Dublin managements.

Mattie Kenny will be managing the Dubs Stars hurlers. He led Cuala to the county title last year. One of his star pupils, David Treacy, gave an exhibtion of accuracy in Dublin's victory over Galway in Parnell Park last Sunday.

Thomas Davis' Paul Kelly will manage the Dubs Stars footballers. His son Oisín is a fine footballer who lined out of the Dublin minors in 2015.

There has been no shortage of royalty at Kilmacud over the years. Dublin's first hurling All-Star was Mick Bermingham.

The footballers won All-Ireland gold under Tommy Lyons and Paddy Carr.

And the club have provided a harvest of personnel to all the county codes down through the decades.

The Crokes crew will once again be producing their Sunday Best.

They have staged the Dubs Stars double-bill before. And they are well used to hosting the big gigs. They have turned the All-Ireland Sevens into an art.

They have produced a fine programme for Sunday, and there will be plenty of refreshments available.

It will be a real family day. And the kids will be able to get autographs and pictures of their heroes.

Dublin Bus are proving a free shuttle service to the venue from the Luas Stop at Leopardstown Station to the ground and back continuously from 12.pm to 3.45pm.